Latest Sports Stories

World Cup News

Though four-time winners, Germany's last World Cup knockout match was the victorious final of 2014. Two group exits followed, painting a picture of faded glory.But hosting Euro 2024 touched up the colours somewhat. It reminded many of the 2006 World Cup, that sun-blessed home tournament which ushered in a fresh, young, creative team that the nation adopted as its self-image.Once more there was optimism, there was flamboyance, there was.... another 119th-minute heartbreak at the hands of the eventual champions.Last year's Nations League Finals were a reality check, and they then lost to Slovakia in qualifying. So the picture is complex. At the last two World Cups they lost their opening game and failed to recover.So all eyes on Curacao on 14 June in Houston – will Germany have a problem?Elite attacking midfielders, such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz roaming and creating, is Germany's strongest department.The 11th-hour return of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has soothed concerns at the other end.Musiala is unlikely to be 100% fit and the candidates to play striker have had mixed seasons, through injury or being played out of position.Finding the right balance from the double midfield pivot will also be a challenge.However, the greatest obstacle to progress could be that France are looming in the last 16.Much hinges on the fitness of Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala, who returned to action in January after breaking his leg and dislocating an ankle at the Club World Cup last summer. He played his first 90 minutes since March against Finland on 31 May.Whether to play with a recognised striker or not has been a debate in Germany for years. The current plan is a 4-2-3-1, with Arsenal's Kai Havertz up top.The last remaining link with the 2014 triumph, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer shocked and/or delighted much of the nation by coming out of international retirement for one last World Cup, his fifth.It's a decade since Julian Nagelsmann, then 28, took over at Hoffenheim and led them into the Champions League. He then took Leipzig to the semi-finals, but at Bayern he was sacked. He is 16 months younger than goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.They recovered from an opening defeat in Slovakia – only their fourth-ever loss in World Cup qualifying – to win four in a row and top the group.All of Germany's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!With no traditional centre forward in the Germany squad, the excited recipient of the Number 9 jersey is Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling.Upon hearing the news, he changed his profile pic on Instagram to an image of his face, with Ronaldo's (in)famous triangle haircut from 2002.Ultimately, it was a Japanese cross, kept in play by millimetres before being bundled into the Spanish net, that caused Germany's group-stage exit from Qatar 2022. The thickness of a thermally-bonded polyurethane panel – the difference between going on, and going home.But even the most die-hard fan of Die Mannschaft would accept there were more macro factors at play to explain Germany's second World Cup failure in a row.Some commentators said their traditional values, centred around physicality, were outdated, and that the coaching system should instead promote freedom of expression. In defence of tradition, Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger blamed former Bayern coach Pep Guardiola for importing "short-pass" football into the Bundesliga, which spread contagiously, wiping out those traditional values.It's doubtful any of the old guard, who triumphed through mental fortitude and reliability, would ever have imagined a German World Cup campaign unravelling in chaos as the goalkeeper lost possession while dribbling around the edge of the opposition box, as Manuel Neuer did in 2018.So coach Julian Nagelsmann has had to wrestle with the arguments above – what should his Germany be? The available evidence suggests a marriage of flair and solid fundamentals. The former, at least, shouldn't be a problem.How have Germany's done at previous World Cups?Germany's tally of eight finals is a record. Since winning their fourth World Cup in 2014 they have gone out of the group stage in both Russia and Qatar, winning only one game at each tournament.

World Cup News

In 2022, Brazil entered this tournament as the highest-ranked team. But despite their big billing they exited at the quarter-final stage.This year they arrive as the world's sixth-best side, their lowest-ever rank prior to a World Cup since Fifa began compiling its list in 1992.Head coach Carlo Ancelotti knows he must find the correct blend between defence and attack.A 4-2-4 formation left the midfield exposed in the recent friendly with Panama, so expect him to instead pivot to a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1."I have a very talented squad," said the Italian. "I'm convinced we're going to have a great World Cup."Creating chances and scoring goals is unlikely to be an issue and only a handful of teams can boast a better array of attacking talent.They have a strong spine and are blessed with two elite centre-backs.Brazil's head coach is an all-time great and his man-management skills and fluid tactical style could prove decisive.Brazil are the only South American side at this World Cup who suffered six defeats in qualifying – to put that into context, they only lost five qualifying games over the past 20 years combined.They did lack depth in central midfield - something Carlo Ancelotti appears to have rectified by selecting Ederson as a late injury replacement - but some critics still believe their squad is unbalanced.Carlo Ancelotti's decision to include Neymar sparked global headlines. "He might play; he might not; he might be on the bench and come on," said the Italian. Brazil's record goalscorer is a generational talent and - despite recent injury concerns - he could make a meaningful contribution, even in brief cameos.Casemiro remains a vital cog in this side. But the 34-year-old could struggle if he is forced to anchor the midfield in a 4-2-4 formation.Vinicius Junior has been accused of underachieving at international level despite being involved in five of Brazil's seven goals in Qatar. If anybody can push him to reproduce his club form in a Brazil shirt then it's his former Real Madrid coach.Carlo Ancelotti will become the first foreign coach to take charge of the Selecao at a World Cup.He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in the history of the game, an opinion cemented by the fact he is the only manager to win league titles in each of Europe's top five divisions and five Champions Leagues.The charismatic Italian extended his Brazil contract for another four years in May, taking his reign up until the next global tournament in 2030.Brazil kept up their record of playing at every World Cup but did not qualify with their usual swagger. Instead they finished fifth in the South American table and lost six matches.All of Brazil's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!Former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is actually known by a nickname.His full name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima and Paqueta is simply a nod to the place where he grew up – a small island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro with 3,000 inhabitants.The World Cup's most successful team are attempting to end a remarkable 24-year drought in this competition. Returning to the scene of former glories could prove the necessary catalyst.The Selecao emerged victorious the last time the World Cup was held on North American soil. They defeated Italy in a penalty shoot-out 32 years ago and the only member of their current squad who can claim to remember Roberto Baggio's famous miss is third-choice goalkeeper Weverton. He was six at the time.Their current head coach, however, had a front row seat in Pasadena's Rose Bowl stadium that day.Carlo Ancelotti was assistant to Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi throughout USA '94 and despite the eventual outcome, he labelled it an "incredible experience".Ancelotti has gone on to amass 31 trophies during a glittering managerial career, a total which includes five Champions League titles, and his encyclopedic knowledge of European football may help the Brazilians clear one very specific hurdle.They have exited the World Cup to European opposition in each of the past five editions, a run which includes their humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany on home soil in the 2014 semi-finals.How have Brazil done at previous World Cups?The last of Brazil's record five World Cups came 24 years ago, when they beat Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final.They're the only country to appear at every tournament and their 67% win rate prior to 2026 (76 victories in 114 games) is unrivalled.

World Cup News

The holy grail for Scotland remains reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.They have participated at 12 prior to this summer, with a win ratio of just 17% from 35 matches. Their last major tournament victory was at the Euros 30 years ago.However, the expanded format of this World Cup, which includes an additional elimination round in the last 32 - along with a very winnable opening match against Haiti – presents perhaps Scotland's best chance of breaking that unwanted record.Expect solidity, aggression and a band-of-brothers mentality from a settled squad who appear to genuinely cherish being together.The new deal signed by head coach Steve Clarke in May has cemented Scotland's stability at an important time.Much depends on the experience of Scotland's midfield.Aston Villa's John McGinn has just enjoyed his finest club campaign in terms of goal contributions, while Scott McTominay has continued the form that saw him win Serie A player of the year in 2024-25.An in-form Lawrence Shankland could answer the cry for goals at the highest levelScotland lack for strength in depth and cannot afford to lose any marquee players.Preferred right-back Aaron Hickey has played 92 club minutes since February, while 43-year-old Hearts keeper Craig Gordon may start in goal. Alternative goalkeeping options, Rangers' Liam Kelly and Nottingham Forest's Angus Gunn, have not been first choice at their clubs this seasonSteve Clarke has not used a back five in a competitive game since Euro 2024, but he could return to this formation against tougher teams with Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney at centre-back.John McGinn led Aston Villa to a first European trophy in 44 years this season. Ten goals and seven assists are the highest number of goal involvements in his club careerScott McTominay's overhead kick in the decisive qualifier against Denmark is now so famous it has made it onto a special edition Scottish banknote. The 2024-25 Serie A player of the year has been directly involved in 15 goals for Scotland since the start of 2023 – six more than anyone else.Lawrence Shankland has scored 21 more goals than any other player in the Scottish Premiership since 2022-23. He's never been first choice for Scotland but still averages a goal every 86 minutes in international footballThree major tournaments as head coach is a Scottish record and Steve Clarke has achieved this feat in just seven years.He's the first man to take Scotland to back-to-back European Championships and the first to a World Cup since Craig Brown in 1998.Qualification was secured in stunning fashion with an overhead kick, a 22-yard stunner and goal from the halfway line in a 4-2 win in their final qualifier against Denmark at Hampden Park in NovemberAll of Scotland's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon can become the second-oldest man to play at a World Cup after Essam El Hadary, who played in goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia at the age of 45 in 2018.When Scotland faced Denmark at Hampden Park at 7.45pm on 18th November, the brief was clear: defeat the nation then 18 places higher in Fifa's rankings and qualify for a first World Cup since 1998. Lose, and face the gut-wrenching unpredictability of the play-offs.One of the most famous nights in Hampden's 122-year history followed.A rip-roaring 4-2 win featured an overhead kick scored by Scott McTominay after just three minutes, which has hung as a picture in the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, an injury-time 22-yard screamer by full-back Kieran Tierney – just a second goal in 53 caps at that stage – to put Scotland ahead on the night.Then, a goal from the halfway line by Kenny McClean after 98 minutes, the crowd celebrations of which equalled the seismic activity of a small earthquake.Scotland have reached two previous major tournaments under Steve Clarke but failed to win a game at either Euro 2020 or Euro 2024.Their last win at the European Championships was a 1-0 victory against Switzerland in 1996. Their most recent at the World Cup was against Sweden 36 years ago.If Scotland are to reach the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time in all 13 attempts, an opening encounter against a Haiti team ranked 83rd in the world looks crucial, with Morocco and Brazil to come.How have Scotland done at previous World Cups?

World Cup News

The wing-back’s advanced positioning paid off against Senegal. More impressive play at the World Cup could go far for the US’s hopes and his transfer prospectsIn the sixth minute of last Sunday’s friendly against Senegal, the US men’s national team were midway through what became a 20-pass sequence of sustained possession. Beginning with a throw-in along the left touchline, just inside the opponent’s half, the World Cup co-hosts tried to break down the visitors to no avail, eventually recirculating back to the center-backs to survey their next route.Amid all that, Sergiño Dest stayed upfield to offer an outlet if a line-breaking window presented itself. Even when lined up as a nominal defender – he has logged most of his 38 international caps as a right-back or right wing-back – the 25-year-old has posed a threat with his determined dribbling and eagerness to join the attack.Dest still believes his role in Mauricio Pochettino’s system is as a wing-back, although the way the structure has evolved often leaves him further upfield than past tactics have.“You have a whole pitch,” Dest told the media at USMNT training on Wednesday. “Sometimes when we start too high with the buildup, or whatever, it’s a waste, because we can still use the part in behind to create space for somebody else in the field. That’s what I’m trying to do sometimes. If I can go low, try to create space for other ones.”The 16th pass of that sequence was its most retreated. Tim Ream collected a short pass from his right, and the veteran looked upfield as Dest gestured behind the Senegal defense.The US captain disagrees with Dest’s self-description as a wing-back, but it’s an outlet he looks for with regularity under Pochettino.“Serg was a right winger,” Ream said with complete deadpan. “In fact, we went over video, and in some moments, he was playing like a wing-back, but really should have been higher.”A vital progressive passer for years at Fulham, the 38-year-old Ream is now plying his trade in MLS with Charlotte FC. Across 500 games at the club level and 81 international caps to date, Ream has spent more time surveying opposing defenses than most.Knowing when to send that diagonal across the field requires a wide lens view of action upfield.“A lot of times for me personally, I’m not looking at where our guys are. I’m looking at where the opposition are kind of set up,” Ream said. “There’s so many times, especially at this level, where as the ball shifts around, teams shift really hard to where the ball is going, and you can catch a lot of teams out by just clipping balls back the other way.”On this occasion against Senegal, Ream spotted that Dest has plenty of lurking markers and opted to keep the ball moving to the US’s left. He shunted possession to Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, his former teammate at Fulham, with a wave of validation toward Dest to keep offering this outlet.Dest didn’t have to wait long for his advanced station to pay off. Four passes later, the US had worked a rapid sequence through the right side of Senegal’s defense, cutting through the Lions of Teranga. The extended sequence had forced the visitors to get more aggressive in hopes of regaining the ball.“Ultimately, I decided a ball out to Jed was the right option, because Christian [Pulisic] was inside and [Ricardo] Pepi was over,” Ream said. “Their defenders were starting to jump to Jed, so that’s a play he and I have done hundreds of times from our time playing together.”Pulisic was able to finish the sequence with a squared cross that Dest finished with aplomb. It opened the scoring in a 3-2 win. More importantly, it reminded viewers of how well this team can play when at their most cohesive.Dest’s ingenuity is also more advisable these days thanks to the structure behind him. These same runs typified his game even in a back-four under Pochettino and Gregg Berhalter, offering a lane for opponents to exploit with counterattacks in the event of a turnover. Against Senegal, and frequently since the pre-Gold Cup friendlies, Pochettino has elected to start Alex Freeman as a right center-back in a trio.A product of Orlando City’s academy, Freeman has started games in MLS and La Liga at right-back, right wing-back and right center-back. He has awareness for all defensive roles along the line, making him a crucial partner for Dest despite their opportunities to play together coming only recently.“I think we have a good combination on the right side,” Dest said of the Villarreal defender. “I like to play with him as well. He’s strong, he’s tall, he’s fast and a good defender. Also, we can switch sometimes, so that makes it even better if I’m on that side, because I can also go low and just change with him. It’s harder for opponents to defend us, because we’re more dynamic.”Dest enjoyed a bounceback campaign at PSV Eindhoven, eclipsing 2,000 minutes in the league for the second time in his career after missing most of 2024/25 recovering from an ACL tear. Having already played for Ajax and Barcelona, he’s again drawing interest from esteemed suitors, with Bayern Munich reportedly among them. This is the second time the Champions League semi-finalists have targeted Dest; they tried to sign him in the summer of 2020 before he opted to join Barcelona. A successful tournament with dangerous play like he managed Sunday could go a long way toward getting him back on the roster of a continental giant.“I think [it’s] really important,” Dest said of the tournament’s impact on transfer prospects. “We all want to have a great run and want to come as far as possible in this tournament. I feel like whenever you do that as a team, all the individuals, they will grow as well, and I think this is a really important tournament for everybody to make the next step in their career.”

World Cup News

After the success of Through the Eyes of the Fans: Scotland v Denmark, we are once again looking for Scotland fans to send us in their footage, audio and pictures - this time capturing the memories of Scotland's World Cup campaign. We want your help to capture the energy, emotion and unforgettable moments from Scotland's time in the United States.Whether you're at the game, travelling to the USA, watching from a fan zone back home or with friends across the world, we'd love to see how you experienced it.Share your footage and you could be included in a BBC programme telling the story of Scotland's World Cup campaign from the fans' perspective.Send formSend formRelated topicsScotland Men's Football TeamFIFA World Cup 2026FootballScotland SportScottish FootballMore on this storyWorld Cup fixtures and group standingsEverything you need to know about the World Cup

World Cup News

Cape Verde fans will be at their first World Cup in numbers – and in full colour. Photograph: Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/Getty ImagesBlue Sharks are in uncharted waters, making their finals debut after a meteoric riseThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.“Let’s have some fun. We got ourselves into the World Cup, now it’s time to have fun together.” – Dailon LivramentoThe Blue Sharks of Cape Verde are swimming in uncharted waters as they make their World Cup debut, but you wouldn’t want to bet against them. The tiny archipelago off the coast of west Africa played their first World Cup qualifier in 2000, but if any team can handle the pressure of a meteoric rise to the top of world football it is Cape Verde. After all, the country’s national slogan – morabeza – roughly translates to “no stress”. They will need that mentality as they take on Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.It is an eclectic group of players assembled by Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista. The 26-man squad represents 25 clubs from 14 countries and has more players born in Rotterdam (six) than in Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. But for a nation built on immigration, navigating complex identities and languages isn’t a challenge, it’s something to be embraced.“Unity among people with different mindsets and ways of life can only be achieved by respecting the uniqueness of each player,” Bubista said after qualification was sealed in front of a raucous home crowd in Praia.A settled squad has been together for the best part of half a decade. While being physical and happy to defend, the Blue Sharks embrace the island-inspired football that is embodied in such technical forwards as Ryan Mendes, Willy Semedo and Jovane Cabral. “Just because we’re a small nation doesn’t mean we give up possession,” the Irish-born Shamrock Rovers centre-back Pico Lopes told the On The Whistle podcast. “We always have that quality and sort of killer instinct we want in the attacking areas.”Perhaps the only question hanging over the team is the fitness of Logan Costa. The Villarreal centre-back is arguably the one elite player in the team, but the French-born Costa is yet to play this season after tearing his ACL last summer.Bubista comes from a humble background. His father split time between being a lift operator and a shepherd while his mother took care of their 10 children on Boa Vista island. “The family was all [about] education, they put all of their kids through education, even buying a home in Mindelo [on São Vicente island] to put the boys into study,” Bubista’s cousin Paulo Santos said.But Bubista’s love for football won out and he went on to play in Portugal, Spain, Angola and captain the Blue Sharks for nearly a decade. Known as “the silent captain” as a player, Bubista is a man of few words and someone who suffers no fools. His iron will and insistence on players speaking only Creole on international duty has forged a successful team over six years at the helm. “It’s the official language of the national team,” he said. “Sometimes the guys try to speak other languages among themselves, but I don’t allow it to keep our Cape Verdean identity intact.”In 2012, the Leicester scout Steve Walsh travelled to the French club Le Havre where he would discover the future Premier League, Champions League and Afcon winner Riyad Mahrez. At the time, though, Walsh was on his way to see the jewel of the famous academy at the time, Ryan Mendes. Before Leicester signed Mahrez, Mendes joined Lille as a replacement for Eden Hazard. A nasty ankle injury slowed his club career, but for the Blue Sharks he is perhaps their greatest player. He is the captain, top scorer and at the World Cup could become the first centurion in Cape Verdean history. At 36, his star may be waning, but he is still at the heart of the team. “Ryan’s been there for so long and he’s been doing it every time he’s called upon he shows up and he scores goals,” said Pico.Few have had more of an instant impact on a national team than Dailon Livramento. The centre-forward joined the Blue Sharks a little over two years ago, but has already cemented his status as a legend. He scored four goals in qualifying, two in Angola, the match winner in the crunch tie against Cameroon and the opening goal against Eswatini to set the country on their way to the World Cup. He had been the missing piece for a team who have a host of talented wide players, but lacked a central presence up front. Born in Rotterdam to the Cape Verdean singer, Marizia, he is also a musician and his brother, Jerzy, is a part of successful Dutch hip-hop group Broederliefde, who performed on stage at the after-party the team held with fans in Praia when qualification was sealed.Kevin Pina has made Russia his home, leading Krasnodar to their first league title in 2025. Given that Pina signed for the Bulls straight from the Portuguese second tier, he is an unknown quantity outside Cape Verde. Alongside Deroy Duarte, Pina forms the midfield engine, doing much of the dirty work that allows the Blue Sharks’ attacking talents to shine. The rangy midfielder isn’t untidy on the ball, however, and is probably Cape Verde’s best player at moving the ball forwards. He doesn’t score many goals, but the ones he does chip in with tend to be screamers.Given the need to stump up a $15,000 bond in order to enter the United States (waived in May for Fifa pass holders, way too late for most people), you would expect Blue Sharks fans to be at a minimum. You’d be wrong. There are more than 500,000 Cape Verdeans living in the US (roughly the same as on the islands) and they will be there in numbers – and in full colour. Expect blue shirts, blue flags, blue shark-themed hats, great vibes and, above all, great music, Cape Verde’s greatest export. From Eugénio Tavares to Cesária Évora to Marizia, Cape Verde music, morna, centres on the experience of leaving the islands and representing them abroad, perfectly suited for a World Cup. Soraia Ramos’s song Nha Terra has been adopted as a tournament anthem.“A lot [of fans] said they wanted to go, but have said because of Trump we won’t go,” said Andreia Levy, leader of the 12Tubaron, Cape Verde’s only supporters’ club. A country rooted in the Non-Alignment Movement, but heavily reliant on remittances coming mainly from a large US diaspora, managing US relations is a delicate task for Cape Verde politicians and people. But the appearance on Trump’s bizarre ‘Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin’ list, the unpopular war in Iran and supporters’ problems in entering the US have all led to growing outrage. “So many people are boycotting the US. If it wasn’t for Cape Verde, even I would never set foot in the US,” says Levy. “But we need to support the guys.”

World Cup News

John McGinn was slathering on sun cream. T-shirt lines aplenty were on show. And the Scotland players were making a beeline for the sprinklers.The humidity and heat hitting Inter Miami's training ground on Tuesday was not what most of these Scots were made for.The barrels of ice being bundled to the side of the pitch and cold plunge tubs waiting for them at the end of their intense session was sweet relief for Steve Clarke's squad, who were tested to the max under the Miami sun.One man who was less fazed, though, was Jack Hendry.The defender has a head start of coping with such conditions having played in Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq for the past three years."Stay hydrated," is the top tip from the 31-year-old, who reiterated this squad's desire to be the first Scotland squad to progress beyond the group stages."It's about maintaining fluids, making sure you're very concentrated because you can lose a lot of sweat in the humidity."The game can be a little bit different because you maybe can't run about as much, getting tired very quickly and energy going from you, so it definitely impacts."Such sweltering conditions were exactly what Clarke wanted, though, as he stressed the importance of "acclimatising" this week to the conditions his squad will face throughout their tournament.The Scots start against Haiti (Sunday, 14 June, 02:00 BST) - live across the BBC - and also play Morocco in Boston, before returning to Miami to face Brazil on Wednesday, 24 June (23:00)."It maybe would have been a shock if we had came out to the Miami game because it hits you as soon as you come off the plane, the humidity and the heat," Hendry told BBC Scotland at the team's hotel in Fort Lauderdale."So it's good that we can come out here for this week, prepare and get used to it and I'm sure that will put us in really good stead going into the game."Water breaks will be in operation, and Hendry stressed the importance of "using them efficiently"."They're certainly going to help us from a recovery point of view, but maybe tactical. as well," he said."I'm accustomed to it in Saudi; we have these water breaks and it might disrupt the rhythm of the game a wee bit, but from the players' point of view it definitely helps."By the time the Scots return south following back-to-back games in Boston, it could be they have already done what no other Scotland side have by reaching the knockout stages of a World Cup.It's undoubtedly the aim for this talented, together squad, but they're not looking too far ahead. They're still Scottish after all."It's just trying to get as far as possible, I think," Hendry said of what success for the country looks like this summer."It's difficult to look too far ahead. The main ambition is going to be trying to get out of the group. Then we see where we can go afterwards."We can't look too far ahead, just take it game by game and if we do that, enjoy it and play the best we can, then we should be able to achieve that."We've got to make the most of it and make sure we don't come out of this with any regrets."Everything you need to know about the World Cup

World Cup News

Colombian pop star Shakira will perform her official song for the 2026 World Cup at the competition's opening ceremony in Mexico.Shakira will perform Dai Dai, along with Burna Boy, on Thursday, 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, before Mexico and South Africa play the first of the tournament's 104 games (20:00 BST).Dai Dai - an Italian phrase meaning "let's go" or "come on".Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will also perform at the show in Mexico.Opening ceremonies will precede each of the first matches played in the host nations of USA, Canada and Mexico.Canadian singer-songwriters Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette will headline the opening ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto before Canada take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, 12 June (20:00 BST).In the USA, pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform before the USA take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, 12 June (Saturday, 02:00 BST).Shakira, along with Madonna and K-pop boyband BTS, will also co-headline the Super Bowl-style half-time show at this summer's World Cup final on 19 July.Shakira unveils official World Cup 2026 songMadonna, Shakira & BTS to headline World Cup showEverything you need to know about the World Cup

World Cup News

Spain will depart from Santiago de Compostela at 10am on Friday morning bound for Chattanooga, via Nashville, but seven of the eight men who made their debuts in the final preparation game before the World Cup will not be on board with them. Nor will the seleccion be flying west with a victory after they bid adios with a 1-1 draw against Iraq at Estadio Riazor. Which may not sound very good – and it really was not very good either, a 22-minute cameo from Mikel Merino about the best thing about it – but is no cause for alarm.Luis de la Fuente’s side will still be among the favourites in the US, Canada and Mexico and rightly so; this was not really his side, at least not recognisably so.If anyone came for clues as to what Spain will be like at the World Cup, they did not find them in La Coruña. How could they when it played out like this? When the fifth and final group of players to report for duty at their Las Rozas HQ, 25km northwest of Madrid, had only arrived at quarter to nine on Wednesday night, 24 hours and 15 minutes before kick-off? When there were 11 substitutions made? When of the coach’s preferred XI, it’s plausible that only two or perhaps three started here? And when the players who probably most enjoyed this, for whom it most mattered, aren’t going to the US at all?Ten of the men who did travel to the US, were not included. It was not just those that had played the Champions League final – Fabián Ruiz, David Raya and Martín Zubimendi – who were left out. De la Fuente took care of Nico Williams, who had played just six of the past 15 club games, and Lamine Yamal, who has not made an appearance since 22 April because of a torn hamstring, was also left out. Lamine Yamal remains the big question for everyone. Rodri, Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Víctor Muñoz sat in the stands too.Down on the pitch, only Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte and perhaps Dani Olmo are natural starters. Two of those that began the match – Marc Bernal and Jon Martín – are not going to the World Cup, and seven of those who sat on the subs’ bench at kick-off are not either, with De la Fuente giving an opportunity to the support squad, invited to join Spain in training over the past week. Every one of them was given a game. Along with Marc Pubill, that made eight debutants in a single night, which will be a good quiz question one day.Spain have a settled squad and a settled side, with few positions still to be fought for, so this felt a little superfluous. If this was an opportunity for Joan García to make a claim on the goalkeeping spot, a national debate right now, Iraq’s goal did not strengthen his case. If it was an opportunity for Gavi, after a season of injury, it did not do the Barcelona midfielder any harm. He was his usual busy presence and it was no surprise when he was booked.The structure of the side looked a little different too, the 4-2-3-1 a bit more defined than it might be in the US, where it’s likely to look like 4-3-3. In the absence of Lamine Yamal, Williams and Muñoz, the wingers were Álex Baena and Ferran Torres, men with a tendency to come inside, lacking the directness De la Fuente embraced to such effect at the Euros, so that too offered little insight.One thing that will have pleased the head coach was the ease with which Laporte took responsibility for bringing the ball out. He was the one intercepting and stepping out to start the move that gave Spain the lead on 15 minutes. An incisive forward pass divided Iraq, breaking through the first line of pressure, and found Olmo who, just as swiftly, moved it on another line. Borja Iglesias let it run through his legs and Torres took it on, dashing through from the right, too fast for Zaid Tahseen, and scoring with a low finish.This, perhaps predictably, was a Spanish monologue and was soon accompanied by olés and Mexican waves but more goals did not follow and nor did much football. Iraq equalised through Merchas Doski. If he meant it, it was outrageous. The position, out on the left wing, suggested a cross; the swing and the contact with the ball did not. García got a bit of his right hand on it but could not keep it out. At the other end Torres hit the bar and Olmo volleyed over but there were no more goals before half-time when Spain made five changes. Jesus Rodríguez had been on just 18 seconds when he dashed through and shot wide.Three more changes were made on 59 minutes, all of them debutants: Atlético Madrid centre-back Pubill, who is going to the US, and Beñat Turrientes and Javi Guerra who are not. Seven minutes after that came a more significant introduction: Merino, whose 28 minutes on the final day of the Premier League season were the only time he had played since January, was introduced to take another step towards full rehabilitation, wearing the captain’s armband. He was then followed by Leo Román and Rodríguez but no goals.They won’t be on the flight to Nashville but 26 men will and they will land in the US with a week still to prepare and as favourites.

World Cup News

Belgium fans will hope their veteran stars can lift themselves for one last tournament. Photograph: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty ImagesNot much of the fabled golden generation remains, but the Red Devils have a winnable group and possess genuine quality in De Bruyne and DokuThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.The head coach, Rudi Garcia, is well aware that the Red Devils’ strength lies in attack. Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku can each make a difference in their own way. The defence is, except for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the weak point after the golden generation of Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen gradually retired. “That is why I will always choose four defenders and not five,” Garcia explains. “With five defenders I have to sacrifice an attacking player and that would be a shame.”Garcia usually opts for a medium block to support the attack and not put too much pressure on the defenders. His reasoning could be described as flawed because there is a problem with Lukaku. He played only 64 minutes for Napoli this season and none for the national team because of injuries until coming off the bench in Tuesday night’s 2-0 win against Croatia, scoring the second goal in added time. He was also deeply affected by the death of his father. Belgium’s all time top scorer – 90 goals – will therefore start the World Cup without any kind of match rhythm.Qualifying went smoothly against Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Despite going undefeated, the level of play was not high and there were three draws, two against North Macedonia and one in Kazakhstan. With 29 goals in eight games, Belgium underlined where their strengths lay. It’s clear there will be plenty of attention on Doku in attack and Courtois to prevent goals at the other end.Garcia has been in charge since January 2025 and said at his unveiling: “I am ready to take on the challenge. It will take time to learn, even though we don’t have much of it. It’s not about trying, it’s about doing, that’s my motto.” Hard work is key, according to the Frenchman. “We must focus on the mindset. We must wear the jersey with pride, and give everything for the national team.”Rudi Garcia is a national coach for the first time in his career and so will be making his World Cup debut in North America. The 62-year-old succeeded Domenico Tedesco in January 2025 and has plenty of experience, having been in charge at Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al Nassr and Napoli among others. The Frenchman is old school, rejecting data-led analysis, and has restored a positive atmosphere to the national squad. “What matters to me is that there is a team on the field,” he says. “My experience shows that you get the furthest that way.”Jérémy Doku is the most popular player in the squad. The 24-year-old Manchester City attacker is still making giant steps in his development. Having relied solely on his impressive speed, he has developed his crossing ability of late and scored some important goals in the closing stages of the Premier League season. “I know my qualities and know that I have to work on my statistics,” he said. “But I’m not there yet.”Matias Fernandez-Pardo was not in Garcia’s plans until early May. The 21-year-old Lille striker, who holds Spanish and Belgian passports, had declared he would choose Spain. When the Belgian FA sounded him out again due to the doubts surrounding Lukaku and the decline of Loïs Openda at Juventus, he changed his mind. His speed, dribbling skills and opportunism have earned him a slot in the World Cup squad. Fernandez-Pardo left Gent in August 2024 as a winger, but the Lille coach Bruno Génésio has deployed him as a striker, leading to eight goals and five assists in 29 league games in 2025-26.Maxim De Cuyper the 25-year-old Brighton left-back, is of great value to the Red Devils with his attacking contributions and, in the absence of Lukaku, has developed into a regular goalscorer for the national team. Under Garcia, he has started every match when fit. He will likely retain that status during the World Cup despite his status as a substitute all too often at Brighton.Belgian fans love having fun and a few beers before entering the stadium. However, there are not many chants because Dutch, French and a little German are spoken in Belgium, the linguistic mix making it difficult to coordinate the songs. As a compromise, they simply sing in English, if there is any singing at all.Just as in most other EU countries, there is scepticism about Donald Trump, and certainly about his manner of expression. He once called Molenbeek, a suburb of Brussels, a “hellhole,” and that did not go down well. The Belgian FA is unlikely to say anything publicly and while fans have complained about high prices there has not been any talk of a boycott.Written by Ludo Vandewalle for Het Nieuwsblad

World Cup News

Lucas Bergvall celebrates with the fans after winning their playoff with Poland. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty ImagesWith Graham Potter at the helm and Viktor Gyökeres finding form, hopes are high after playoff successThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.Sweden’s attempts to qualify for the World Cup could hardly have gone worse, picking up just one point from the first four games under Jon Dahl Tomasson before, in October 2025, the Dane was sacked after a 1-0 defeat against Kosovo.In came Graham Potter, who had his breakthrough in coaching at Swedish side Östersund between 2011 and 2017, taking them from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan, winning the cup and beating Arsenal in the Europa League.Under Potter’s leadership the focus shifted to more traditional values associated with the Swedish national team with a stubborn defence coupled with effective counterattacks. Having initially said he prefers a back four he set up with a 5-3-2 in the playoffs, with a focus on keeping things quiet at the back.With the Nations League having offered Sweden a route back into the World Cup qualifying process, they put in an impressive performance against Ukraine in Spain in the semi-finals, winning 3-1 after a Viktor Gyökeres hat-trick. The final, against Poland, was much tougher to watch with the visitors better for much of the game but Gyökeres again stepped up, scoring an 88th-minute winner in a 3-2 thriller.“It’s hard to explain, hard to describe,” said a delighted Potter. “Just an incredible evening, just so proud to be part of that and obviously proud to experience it. It was just the best night I’ve had in football. Incredible, like I was having some sort of out-of-body experience. I’m looking at the goal and suddenly all our bench is running and you’re thinking: ‘Am I here?’ I’m just grateful to be part of that.”So Sweden made it to the World Cup despite collecting two points from six games in their qualifying group. They now face Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan with hope of getting into the knockout stages – that’s the Potter effect for you.Injury wise they are without captain Dejan Kulusevski, whose influence on this team cannot be overstated. They will miss him in North America. There are also huge question marks over Alexander Isak’s form and fitness, although he did score in a worryingly one-sided 3-1 defeat against Norway on 1 June after coming on as a substitute.In October 2025 Graham Potter gave an interview to Fotbollskanalen that was not so much expressing an interest in becoming Sweden coach, but more of a come-and-get-me plea. “I have feelings for Sweden,” he said. “I love the country and I love Swedish football. Coaching the national team would be an incredible opportunity for me, absolutely.” A few days later he was in the job and, despite not winning either of his first two games, the Swedish FA was so smitten by him that they offered him a contract extension to 2030 in March. Potter speaks very good Swedish and for him it was the perfect job after difficult spells with Chelsea and West Ham.Alexander Isak became the most expensive transfer in Premier League history last year when he moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for £125 but after a tough first season at Anfield there is no question about who the talisman is for the national team: Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal forward also struggled initially at his new club but has hit form recently and scored four of Sweden’s six goals in the two playoff ties. His popularity took another upturn after the late goal against Poland with people from all over the country posting their own versions of his goal celebration, which is taken from Bane, the character played by Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises film.Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren aside, one player that might play a bigger role than expected for Sweden in North America is Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Braga defender put in a crucial performance in the playoff final against Poland, scoring with a thunderous header and keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet at the back. The fact that the former Celtic defender is a baron only adds to the intrigue. There are talks of a move to a big-five league this summer and a good showing at the World Cup will only increase his chances.If Sweden are to succeed this summer, they will have to win battles against a very technical side in the Netherlands and a very tenacious and technical Japan side. Jesper Karlström will have to play a big part. Captain of Serie A side Udinese, Karlström is a late bloomer who took time to establish himself at Djurgården before a move to Polish side Lech Poznan. He has talked about how he struggled with a gambling addiction at Djurgården but that the club and his family helped him beat it. Karlström possesses all the classical traits of a deep-lying midfielder, being solid in the tackle and capable of dictating play. The 30-year-old’s calming presence will be key in North America as he is surrounded by youngsters such as Yasin Ayari and Lucas Bergvall in midfield.Swedish supporters have a reputation of coming in large numbers for tournaments and making themselves heard. Fans of Blågult (blue and yellow) tend to be friendly and full of banter, interacting with opposition fans. The go-to song of the supporters is “Kanna på”, a song referencing beer pitchers that keep on arriving. Yes, the Swedes like a beer or six. The song also states: “We are coming with 100,000 men” and, while there might not be another Viking invasion expected in America, there will be a large yellow-and-blue delegation at the World Cup.“Look what happened in Sweden last night.” Those were the words of president Trump in 2017, when talking about problems with large scales of immigration and subsequent terrorist attacks. The only problem was that nothing of any dramatic nature had happened in Sweden the night before. Trump said later he had been referring to a TV report on Fox News, which did not clarify things greatly. Swedish paper Aftonbladet then summed up what had happened in the country on the day Trump was referring to:Famous singer Owe Thörnqvist suffered technical problems in rehearsalsA man set himself on fire at a plaza in central StockholmThere were road closures in northern Sweden due to “harsh weather”Written by Samuel Parts for fotbollskanalen.se.

World Cup News

Bellingham takes coveted shirt with Anderson given No 8England train for first time in Florida ahead of World CupJude Bellingham has received a boost from Thomas Tuchel after being handed the coveted No 10 shirt for England’s World Cup campaign.Preparations began at a training camp in Florida on Tuesday and the midfielder Kobbie Mainoo said the squad believed “100%” that they can win the tournament.With two weeks to go until England’s opening World Cup fixture, 21 of Tuchel’s 26-man squad are in West Palm Beach for a week-long camp and the squad numbers were confirmed on Tuesday.Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder, takes the No 10 shirt ahead of his rivals Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. Elliot Anderson, who made his England debut less than a year ago, secured No 8.After training in temperatures that reached 33C, England players addressed the media and Mainoo was asked whether the squad believed they could win the 48-team tournament which begins next Thursday and runs until July 19.“One hundred per cent,” the Manchester United midfielder said. “I feel like everyone in the squad and the staff believes we can win it but it doesn’t come easy and the first game, the second game, we have to build and build.”Jordan Henderson, who at 35 is at his fourth World Cup, talked through the standards the squad hope to hit by the time they open against Croatia on 17 June.“It’s about bringing the best version of ourselves, individually and collectively, and working every day to achieve our dreams,” he said. “We all know the talent this squad has and how we can hurt teams. But we know we have to be ready to do all the invisible work too.”On the weather conditions, Henderson said: “It’s hard to really adapt but this week is about building capacity. We’ve got an amazing team behind the team working on how we cool down and recover. Hopefully that can give us an edge.”Earlier the Football Assocation’s CEO, Mark Bullingham, said it was “going to be hard” for England to bring home the trophy. “It’s only twice in history that a European team has won a World Cup outside Europe,” he told the Performance People podcast. “There’s a reason for that. It’s very hard to win in heat, altitude, humidity and so on. Other countries are better at dealing with that because they’ve grown up with it. So it is going to be hard, but we’ll be doing everything we can to go as far as possible.”Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Eze and Bukayo Saka, and the Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson will join the group late after taking part in European finals last week. In the meantime, Tuchel has supplemented his numbers by including Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Fulham’s Josh King, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Alex Scott of Bournemouth as part of the Florida group.